Maiara Cristina Tadiotto

This study aimed to analyze sex-specific changes in blood pressure (BP), anthropometric variables, and movement behaviors following a 16-week educational intervention of the BeE-school project. This intervention study included 735 children aged 6–10 years from 10 primary schools in the Northern region of Portugal. Schools were randomly assigned to either an intervention group ( n = 353) or a control group ( n = 382). The intervention consisted of a 16-week teacher education and training program, based on health promotion and its implementation in the classroom. Twice a month, challenges were sent to families during this period. Trained researchers evaluated body mass, height, waist circumference (WC), systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), screen time, sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity before and after 16 weeks. Body mass index (BMI), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI), and age at peak height velocity were calculated. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney tests, repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc, and Friedman ANOVA for nonparametric variables, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. After the intervention, girls in the intervention group showed a significant reduction in TMI, while girls in the control group showed an increase in BMI ( p < 0.01). Reductions in SBP were observed in both groups, whereas DBP decreased mainly in the intervention group ( p < 0.01). In addition, the intervention group showed reduced SB and increased physical activity levels ( p < 0.05). The BeE-school intervention was associated with favorable changes in BP, SB, physical activity, and indicators of body adiposity, particularly among girls, supporting the potential benefits of multicomponent school-based health promotion strategies for children from socioeconomically vulnerable contexts. Clinical trial registration: The study was registered in Clinical Trials database/platform (NCT05395364).

Obesity is associated with comorbidities, including hypertension, which have been diagnosed in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to verify the mediator role of physical activity in the relationship between anthropometric indicators and blood pressure (BP) in children with normal weight and children with overweight/obesity. The BeE-school project included 728 Portuguese children (376 boys, 352 girls), aged 6 to 10 years old, who were divided into two groups: children with normal weight and children with overweight/obesity, according to body mass index z-score (BMI-z). Body mass, height, waist circumference (WC), systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were assessed. Tri-ponderal mass index (TMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and mean BP (MBP) were calculated. Sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were determined by accelerometry. Mediation analyses were conducted considering predictors (WC, WHtR, TMI), mediators (MVPA on weekdays, weekend, total), outcomes (SBP, DBP, MBP). Children with overweight/obesity had higher mean values for BP measurements compared to their normal weight peers. In the correlations were not observed associations between anthropometric indicators and BP variables in children with normal weight, but MVPA on weekdays and MVPA total showed positive associations with SBP. However, children with overweight/obesity presented significant positive associations between all anthropometric indicators and BP variables. The present study provides evidence that physical activity functions as a competitive mediator in relationship between TMI and BP in children with overweight/obesity. The overweight simultaneously elevates BP directly while reducing protective physical activity engagement in Portuguese children.

Blood pressure (BP) measurements are clinical parameters that are rarely used in routine assessments of schoolchildren under 10 years of age. However, chan

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on the plasma concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and executive function in physically inactive adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methods: Fiftythree participants (14.01 ± 2.09 years, 27 girls and 26 boys) were allocated to a HIIT program ( n = 15), MICT ( n = 14) or a control group (CG; n = 24). Exercise sessions were conducted on stationary bikes three times a week for 12 weeks. The MICT session lasted 60 min and the HIIT session lasted approximately 35 min. The variables included plasma BDNF concentrations and measures of executive function, specifically cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control, assessed using the Trial-Making Test and Stroop Test. Results: There was a significant increase in BDNF level for HIIT (Δ = 70.43 pg/mL, p = 0.003), but not for MICT (Δ = 21.17 pg/mL, p = 0.391) and CG (Δ = −3.09 pg/mL, p = 0.865). Thus, we observed a significant improvement in cognitive flexibility for HIIT group (Δ = −59.62″, p < 0.001), but not in the MICT (Δ = −9.32″; p = 0.806) and CG (Δ = 3.15″; p = 0.834). For inhibitory control, there was a significant improvement in both HIIT (Δ = −39.88″, p < 0.001) and MICT (Δ = −31.55″, p = 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, both MICT and HIIT programs can benefit the cognitive function in physical inactive adolescents with overweight and obesity. We observed a significant increase in BDNF only in HIIT training,while MICT did not show significant changes compared to the CG.

Background The effects of different exercise intensities on cognitive outcomes and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations in adolescents with overweight/obesity are not yet fully elucidated. This study aimed: (a) to compare the prevalence of responders to cognitive function and BDNF concentration in adolescents with overweight/obesity participating in a 12-week intervention with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and (b) to analyze whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can explain differences in inter-individual variability between responders and non-responders. Methods Adolescents with overweight/obesity were assigned to HIIT (n = 15), MICT (n = 14), or CG (n = 24). Anthropometrics, body composition, CRF, basal BDNF, and cognitive performance (Trial Making Test (TMT) and Stroop Test (ST)) were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Training was performed on stationary bikes (3×/week for 12 weeks). Results The prevalence of responders in ST and TMT was higher in the HIIT group than in CG (93–62%, p = 0.029; 67–33%, p = 0.043), with no differences in MICT. No group differences were found for BDNF responders (HIIT:73%-MICT:71%-CG:46%, p = 0.263). ST and TMT responders had greater CRF improvements than non-responders. Conclusion HIIT elicited a higher prevalence of cognitive responders than CG. CRF improvements may partially explain individual variability in responsiveness to cognitive outcomes. Impact This is the first study to examine and compare inter-individual variability in cognitive function and BDNF levels following MICT and HIIT interventions in adolescents with overweight/obesity; Exercise intensity and improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness are key factors for optimizing the cognitive effects of interventions in youth with overweight; Twelve weeks of supervised HIIT and MICT training led to increased rates of cognitive responders among adolescents with overweight/obesity.

Objective: To describe blood pressure (BP), body composition, and physical fitness in schoolchildren from the Valparaíso region, comparing outcomes between normal weight and overweight/obese groups. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 children aged 6–10 years from public schools in Valparaíso, Chile. BP classification followed the Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized using the WHO growth reference. Physical fitness was assessed via handgrip strength, standing long jump, and the 20 m shuttle run test. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 58.7%. Overweight/obese children presented higher systolic BP than their normal-weight peers (p =0.005), while diastolic BP showed no significant difference (p =0.073). Elevated BP was frequent in both systolic (22%) and diastolic (32.7%) measures, with lower prevalence in the normal-BMI group. Adequate upper-body strength was observed in 52.0%, with a higher proportion in the overweight/obese group. In contrast, 45.3% met the criteria for adequate lower-body strength, and only 37.3% achieved adequate cardiorespiratory fitness, both of which were more prevalent among normal-weight children. Conclusion: Overweight/obese children showed higher systolic BP and less favorable fitness profiles, reinforcing the need for early monitoring in school settings. Keywords: hypertension, physical activity, childhood, school, health

This study investigated the frequency of high blood pressure (BP) and hypertension in children, as well as the risk associated with excess central and general adiposity in the presence of hypertensive measures. A cross-sectional epidemiological study of 141 schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 (69 boys; 72 girls), selected by convenience, was conducted. Body mass, height, waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were assessed. Body mass index (BMI), body mass index z-score (BMI-z), and tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) were calculated. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests identified the frequencies of hypertension and anthropometric alterations. Binary logistic regression and generalized linear models were used to assess associations, with p0.05), and a twofold increased risk of arterial hypertension (OR=2.67; 95% CI: 1.17-6.09, p<0.05). SBP was directly associated with BMI (b=3.83, 95% CI: 0.30-7.35, p=0.033) and DBP was directly associated with BMI-z (b=4.26, 95% CI: 0.13-8.39, p=0.043) and BMI (b=4.48, 95% CI: 0.71-8.25, p=0.020). General adiposity was more strongly associated with systolic arterial hypertension, while central adiposity was more strongly associated with diastolic arterial hypertension.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically review studies in the literature that evaluated the effect of different exercise programs on blood pressure in overweight children and adolescents. In September 2024, studies were searched in six electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Sportdiscus, Lilacs, and Scielo) and in reference lists. Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials with interventions involving physical exercise programs and assessment of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in children and adolescents with overweight and/or obesity were considered for synthesis. The quality of studies was assessed using the PEDro scale for studies with randomized clinical trials. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random model in the Review Manager Software. Seventeen studies were selected that involved 1,125 children and adolescents. The risk of bias score was considered moderate (five to eight points out of 11). The high-intensity interval training (HIIT) showed the largest effect, indicating a greater impact on BP reduction, while moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) also had a significant effect, although with greater heterogeneity. No significant effects were found for the other types of exercise. For SBP, a summary effect of -0.44 (95% CI=-0.68; -0.20; I2 = 73%) was observed. For DBP, the metanalysis indicated − 0.52 (95% CI=-0.73; -0.31; I2 = 63%). There was a publication time limitation of ten years, and the search was restricted to articles published in journals indexed in databases, and there was also significant heterogeneity for the intervention subgroups, which can be explained by the moderate methodological quality of the studies. Considering the significant effects of exercise interventions on blood pressure, we suggest the development of more interventions based on physical exercise practice for overweight and obese children and adolescents, which may also add environmental elements, lasting at least 12 weeks, with three 60-minute sessions per week, better control of exercise intensity, as HIIT and MICT were more effective in promoting a reduction in blood pressure when compared to other types of exercise. The implementation of these programs must be carried out in a multicomponent and multiprofessional approach to guarantee the adherence of participants and promote significant and sustainable changes in the cardiovascular health of children and adolescents. PROSPERO no CRD42023469222.

Introduction: Motor competence (MC) is essential for motor development and an active lifestyle. However, adolescents with excess weight face challenges like low physical fitness and cardiometabolic alterations that affect MC. While high-intensity functional training (HIFT) improves physical fitness and reduces cardiometabolic risks, its effects on MC remain underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of different types of physical training on motor competence and physical fitness in excess weight adolescents. Methodology: The sample had 46 adolescents of both sexes, aged 10 to 16 years, distributed into HIFT(n=10), high-intensity interval training (HIIT, n=12), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT, n=12), and control group (CG, n=12). Anthropometric measurements, body composition, physical fitness, and motor competence with supine-to-stand time (STSTIME) were assessed before and after the intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA, effect size, and prevalence of respondents were used for statistical analysis. Results: HIFT had a decrease in BMI (p=0.04), WHtR (p=0.050), and %FM (p<0.001), an increase in %FFM (p<0.001), ABD strength (p<0.01), and flexibility (p<0.03), and very beneficial improvement in STSTIME (p< 0.001) in relation to the other groups. On the other hand, HIIT (p<0.003) and MICT (p<0.02) had greater handgrip strength than HIFT. Furthermore, higher frequencies of HIFT respondents had a decrease in BMI and %FM and an increase in %FFM (p<0.05), flexibility, and STSTIME in relation to the other groups (p=0.001). Conclusions: HIFT was significantly more effective than the other protocols in improving body composition, abdominal strength, flexibility, and floor rise time.

This study aims to verify the effect of social isolation arising from the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) on vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, motor performance, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in adolescents. This research method is Case-control study, which included 34 boys, aged 12-16 years. In the pre-pandemic period, 17 schoolchildren were evaluated in December 2019, classified according to body mass index Z-score (BMI-z) as: eutrophic (n=8) and overweight (n=9). The post-pandemic group was composed of 17 boys, evaluated in March 2022, matched with the same BMI-z characteristics. Stature, body mass, fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), flexibility (FLEX), 25(OH)D, absolute CRF (CRFabs) and relative (CRFrel) were assessed. The Supine-to-Stand test (STSTIME) execution time was used to assess motor performance and motor competence by the motor patterns used in execution (STSMC). considering p<0.05 significant. The results showed that, post-pandemic, there were impairment on 25(OH)D, FLEX, STSTIME e CRF (p<0.05). Both eutrophic and overweight groups reduced 25(OH)D concentrations (p<0.001) and increased STSTIME (p=0.02) but did not modify STSMC. Regarding CRF, eutrophic individuals showed lower CRFabs and CRFrel values (p≤ 0.005), however no changes in the overweight group. We conclude that social isolation impaired the 25(OH)D concentrations and motor performance of adolescents. However, it stands out that the eutrophic were the most impacted with social isolation, as they showed unfavorable effect also on CRF.